| Dressage has long been seen as the most graceful of | | | | dressage rules. |
| equestrian events and for good reason. The FEI | | | | Each horse is tested independently before a panel of |
| dressage horses that compete at this level are trained | | | | five judges. Each movement of the test is judged |
| to move gracefully across the arena performing | | | | independently as well. The horse and rider team with |
| complex maneuvers while the rider appears to give no | | | | the highest overall score wins the competition. |
| cues and interferes very little in the actions of the | | | | However, if you really want to see an amazing |
| horse. | | | | dressage performance while visiting the FEI World |
| The FEI rules describe dressage as "the development | | | | Equestrian Games, then you won't want to miss the |
| of the horse into a happy athlete through harmonious | | | | Freestyle competition. |
| education. As a result, it makes the horse calm, supple, | | | | The Freestyle competition allows the rider to create |
| loose and flexible, but also confident, attentive and | | | | their own pattern and choreograph it to music. There |
| keen, thus achieving perfect understanding with his | | | | are specific movements that must be completed in the |
| rider." Dressage also means "training" in French and | | | | test, but the rider is able to determine when those |
| when properly trained, the dressage horse is capable | | | | movements will be performed and they can ride to the |
| of performing a variety of maneuvers while it appears | | | | music of their choice. |
| that the rider is really just along for the ride. This level | | | | You can witness dressage at nearly every equestrian |
| of harmony is best witnessed during the dressage | | | | horse show across the globe, but rarely do you have |
| competition at the FEI World Equestrian Games. | | | | the opportunity to witness the best dressage horses |
| There are two types of dressage competitions at the | | | | at work. If you want to see what a truly professional |
| World Equestrian Games. These are the Grand Prix | | | | dressage horse looks like, there's no better place than |
| and Grand Prix Special. During the competition, each | | | | the FEI World Equestrian Games when riders and |
| horse and rider will perform the same test that | | | | horses from around the world come to compete for |
| consists of specific movements and gaits to be | | | | FEI World Cup in dressage. |
| performed at specific points around the arena. The FEI | | | | The dressage portion of the Alltech 2010 World |
| dressage horse will be capable of demonstrating a | | | | Equestrian Games will take place September |
| very high level of achievement and the performance | | | | 27th-29th and October 1st, 2010. |
| of the horse will match the description of the FEI | | | | |